After record tax appeals, Paterson's property revaluation is underway

By ED RUMLEY

Paterson Press

PATERSON – Real estate appraisers have begun the massive task of trying to inspect every property in Paterson as part of the citywide property revaluation.

Officials hope the new property assessments will address the inequities that followed the 2006 revaluation, a problem-plagued effort that resulted in record numbers of city tax appeals in recent years. The new values from the 2007 inspections took effect just as the region’s real estate market began to collapse, leaving many Patersonians paying taxes on assessments that far exceeded their properties’ actual worth.

City officials this week are conducting a series of public meetings on the revaluation, but so far attendance has been sparse. Just seven people showed up for Wednesday’s session at Eastside High School.

A final meeting was scheduled for Thurs., July 17 at 7 pm at International High School.

City Tax Assessor Richard Marra said additional meetings would held in September.

Officials hope to complete the revaluation process by next year so that the new assessments can take effect for the 2016 fiscal year.
“Inspectors are now going door to door in Paterson, even as we speak,” said Jason Cohen of Appraisal Systems, Inc., the Glen Rock company that Paterson hire to conduct the revaluation.

During the meeting at Eastside, Cohen outlined a seven-step procedure for the city’s revaluation. “Inspect, Analyze, Review, Inform, Meet, Submit, and Defend,” he said.

The goal is for inspectors to examine every property in Paterson, including homes, businesses, vacant lots, and even churches.

After a preliminary value determination by the company, each case will be reviewed by the city’s tax assessment division, officials said. Residents can request one-on-one meetings with tax representatives to discuss the findings.

The new values won’t be officials until they are certified by the Passaic County Board of Taxation. Residents then have the option to appeal the assessments.

Cohen stressed the importance of allowing the inspectors to scrutinize both the outside, and inside, of homes. “We are not looking for violations,” he said. “The purpose of assessment is to give the true market value of homes.”

Among the factors taken under consideration in arriving at the new assessments will the size and condition of property, the type of house or building on it, Cohen said. Environmental issues such as being close to a river, railroad tracks, a business, or commercial property are taken into consideration, he said. The calculation also accounts for “negative influences,” Cohen said, such as being in close proximity to bars and high traffic areas.

The inside examination covers the number of rooms and bathrooms, whether basements and attics are finished. Heating and cooling, fireplaces and plumbing, and the quality of kitchens, are also taken into account.

According to Cohen, revaluation inspectors initially come to homes unannounced. If residents are not present, a notice will be left, and a later appointment may be made.

Homeowners are not legally required to allow inspectors inside. But Cohen said it’s to the owner’s advantage to allow the inspectors inside. If an inspector is not given access, an estimate is made concerning the home’s interior, he said. The estimate, Cohen said, is always rendered as the highest assumption of value.

Inspectors sport ID badges and wear identifying shirts. They are also registered with the Paterson Police Department, as well as having their names and photos posted on the city’s website. Cohen said there are 10 inspectors knocking on city doors. If anyone suspects an imposter, Cohen told the audience members to call police.

The typical home inspection takes 20 to 30 minutes, officials said. Cohen encouraged home owners to feel free to ask questions of the inspectors. Home owners may provide the city with their own documentation of their residences. A copy of the inspection report will be made available to property owners, upon request, he said. Cohen said the final process should be done by February of 2015, when home owners will receive a revaluation statement in the mail.

After record tax appeals, Paterson's property revaluation is underway

PATERSON – Real estate appraisers have begun the massive task of trying to inspect every property in Paterson as part of the citywide property revaluation.

Officials hope the new property assessments will address the inequities that followed the 2006 revaluation, a problem-plagued effort that resulted in record numbers of city tax appeals in recent years. The new values from the 2007 inspections took effect just as the region’s real estate market began to collapse, leaving many Patersonians paying taxes on assessments that far exceeded their properties’ actual worth.

City officials this week are conducting a series of public meetings on the revaluation, but so far attendance has been sparse. Just seven people showed up for Wednesday’s session at Eastside High School.

A final meeting was scheduled for Thurs., July 17 at 7 pm at International High School.

City Tax Assessor Richard Marra said additional meetings would held in September.

Officials hope to complete the revaluation process by next year so that the new assessments can take effect for the 2016 fiscal year.
“Inspectors are now going door to door in Paterson, even as we speak,” said Jason Cohen of Appraisal Systems, Inc., the Glen Rock company that Paterson hire to conduct the revaluation.

During the meeting at Eastside, Cohen outlined a seven-step procedure for the city’s revaluation. “Inspect, Analyze, Review, Inform, Meet, Submit, and Defend,” he said.

The goal is for inspectors to examine every property in Paterson, including homes, businesses, vacant lots, and even churches.

After a preliminary value determination by the company, each case will be reviewed by the city’s tax assessment division, officials said. Residents can request one-on-one meetings with tax representatives to discuss the findings.

The new values won’t be officials until they are certified by the Passaic County Board of Taxation. Residents then have the option to appeal the assessments.

Cohen stressed the importance of allowing the inspectors to scrutinize both the outside, and inside, of homes. “We are not looking for violations,” he said. “The purpose of assessment is to give the true market value of homes.”

Among the factors taken under consideration in arriving at the new assessments will the size and condition of property, the type of house or building on it, Cohen said. Environmental issues such as being close to a river, railroad tracks, a business, or commercial property are taken into consideration, he said. The calculation also accounts for “negative influences,” Cohen said, such as being in close proximity to bars and high traffic areas.

The inside examination covers the number of rooms and bathrooms, whether basements and attics are finished. Heating and cooling, fireplaces and plumbing, and the quality of kitchens, are also taken into account.

According to Cohen, revaluation inspectors initially come to homes unannounced. If residents are not present, a notice will be left, and a later appointment may be made.

Homeowners are not legally required to allow inspectors inside. But Cohen said it’s to the owner’s advantage to allow the inspectors inside. If an inspector is not given access, an estimate is made concerning the home’s interior, he said. The estimate, Cohen said, is always rendered as the highest assumption of value.

Inspectors sport ID badges and wear identifying shirts. They are also registered with the Paterson Police Department, as well as having their names and photos posted on the city’s website. Cohen said there are 10 inspectors knocking on city doors. If anyone suspects an imposter, Cohen told the audience members to call police.

The typical home inspection takes 20 to 30 minutes, officials said. Cohen encouraged home owners to feel free to ask questions of the inspectors. Home owners may provide the city with their own documentation of their residences. A copy of the inspection report will be made available to property owners, upon request, he said. Cohen said the final process should be done by February of 2015, when home owners will receive a revaluation statement in the mail.